Tories make begging plea to grassroots supporters to attend party conference as big donors turn off the taps

Tory chiefs are begging grassroots supporters to turn up to their party conference this October amid fears of a ‘washout’, MPs claim.

They say the move is intended to get more cash to plug a gap in funding, with several major traditional Tory donors believed to be giving less because they are unhappy with David Cameron’s leadership.

Electoral Commission figures showed yesterday that some of the Conservatives’ biggest funders have slashed donations to the party since the general election.

Tory chiefs are said to be concerned that Lord Ashcroft is frustrated with David Cameron's failure to get a grip on the economy

City bigwig Michael Spencer has slashed the amount he donates to the Tories, giving £87,962 so far in 2012 compared to £1.1m in 2006

They include Carpetright founder Lord Harris, polling expert Lord Ashcroft and City bigwig Michael Spencer, who are giving a fraction of the sums they once gave to the Prime Minister’s war chest.

Overall, donations to the party between April and June were £3.9million – around £300,000 down on the previous quarter.

Now MPs say they have been pressured to persuade grassroots supporters to go to the annual conference in Birmingham to fill the hall and boost party coffers.

Last year the ConservativeHome website found the average cost to a party member of attending was £722 when accommodation, travel, food and drink was factored in.

Conservative Campaign Headquarters put together a series of package deals, after complaints that it was too expensive for ordinary members. But even so, MPs and ministers say, uptake has been disappointing amid grumbling that Mr Cameron is not promoting more conservative policies on the economy.

One Tory frontbencher said: ‘Conference is going to be a washout. I’ve been getting calls from Central Office asking me to drum up the numbers. It’s hard to motivate people to go when most MPs would rather cut their own arm off than go to conference.

‘People are annoyed that we have had the runaround from the Lib Dems and they want to see the Prime Minister do more on Europe and crime.’

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Meanwhile Tory chiefs are concerned that Lord Ashcroft is frustrated with Mr Cameron’s failure to get a grip on the economy.

He has given nothing to the party so far in 2012. In 2007, the equivalent year in the previous political cycle, he gave £1.7million.

Lord Harris, who helped to persuade Mr Cameron to run for the leadership, personally gave £87,962 this year, compared with £500,000 in 2006 and 2007.

He said recently: ‘I don’t think David Cameron is representing core Conservative voters or values.’

Mr Spencer has given £87,962 this year, compared with £1.1million in 2006 and around £500,000 in each year up to the 2010 election.

Tory officials admit they are in a mid-term slump but stress that they are still raking in more cash than the other main parties.

They insisted last night that overall numbers for the conference were ‘on a par with last year’.

A senior party source added: ‘It’s true that some of the donors are not giving as much, but some are giving far more. Donor “cast lists” will inevitably adjust over time. We are in government, and party donors always give more in opposition, and in the run-up to an election.’